By Kris Smith
The Stars are looking for their second win of the weekend and their first of the year against the Steelers after taking a 3-2 victory in overtime last night against their bitter rivals, Fife Flyers.
The latest Tayside Derby was also the Stars’ Pride Night celebration and whilst wearing their limited-edition jerseys, they took the lead inside the final minute of the first period as Brent Beaudoin tipped Jake Elmer’s shot from a narrow angle, down and in off the skate of goaltender, Shane Owen.
Dundee had dominated the scoring chances but as they failed to capitalise, the Flyers pounced on a powerplay opportunity on 29 minutes, to level the score up with Colin Shirley firing high past Kevin Carr from between the circles.
The Stars got back ahead inside the opening two minutes of the third period as Josh Brittain latched onto the rebound from Anthony Rinaldi’s effort and hit it on the spin, sending the puck low past Owen.
However, Kyle Osterberg would equalise for Fife just six minutes from time with a rising slapshot that founds its way in via the post and with no winner in regulation, extra time was required but only 46 seconds of it.
The Stars continued their offensive approach and got straight on the attack, where Spencer Naas fired a shot that was blocked but came back off the glass and into the path of Dundee captain, Drydn Dow.
The puck bounced off the skates of Dow before trickling past Owen, who appealed for a review believing the puck to be kicked in but after a video check, the referees stood by their call on the ice and the Stars claimed the extra point to maintain their unbeaten run against the Flyers in league play.
Meanwhile, the Steelers had to battle for a 3-2 win on the road over their arch enemies, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield had the lead after the first period, thanks Zach Vinnell, before Mitchel Balmas doubled it in the second session.
Hugo Roy then got the Panthers off the mark to make it 2-1 after two periods and he then netted again to bring them level early in the third stanza, but Balmas would also bag his brace in the 47th minute, with what proved to be the game-winning-goal.
Two weeks ago, the Steelers were 6-1 winners at home over Dundee and powered into 5-0 lead before the Spencer Naas got the Stars off the mark on 43 minutes.
Mitchell Balmas, Daniel Ciampini (2), Robert Dowd, Marc-Olivier Vallerand and Cole Shudra were all on the scoresheet for the Steelers, whilst netminder, Matt Greenfield earned his fourth win over Dundee.
Speaking after last night’s overtime victory, Stars Head Coach, LeFebvre said: “I thought it was sloppy at times throughout the game but we found a way to win and that is all that we can ask for.
“Good teams find a way to win, whether you are playing at your best or not at your best, two points are two points at the end of the day.”
LeFebvre also gave his thoughts ahead of today’s trip to Sheffield, adding: “They are a heck of team that we are playing.
“We know what the task in hand is and that it will not be easy but we will give it our best shot and see what we can come away with.
“If we want to do anything this year then we have to find a way to beat them at some point and they are a good team, who are in first place for a reason, so we look forward to that challenge again.
“To beat them, everything has to be clicking for you and against that team you cannot afford to make mistakes, they are so much better than anybody else from what I have seen and right now, it does not look like anything can stop them unless you put everything together correctly in one night.”
Face-off for tonight’s road game in Sheffield is at 4pm.
All images: Dean Wooley.
